Pantai Cenang is said to be the most visited beach in Malaysia—it is, shall we say, Malaysia’s version of our Boracay. We’ve visited Langkawi a couple of times before, but it is actually the first time we’re staying in the exact vicinity, courtesy of Mercure Langkawi Pantai Cenang. We’re definitely excited since we haven’t fully tried the Pantai Cenang experience before since we’re usually lodged on the more remote parts of the island during the past visits.

But what exactly can you do in Pantai Cenang, or Chenang Beach, for it to deserve a base camp for your Langkawi adventures? Well, for such a small area, quite a lot.

“Tatay, the beach is not pink at all!” exclaimed our toddler as soon as we disembarked from the boat and touched sand at Zamboanga City’s Great Sta. Cruz Island—the home of the so-called Pink Beach in the Philippines. And indeed, if you take a glancing look, our son, cannot be more right. The beach does not look pink at all, but looks rather like any other white sand beach in the country. But, why is it dubbed as one of the few pink beaches not only in the country, but in the world? Is Zamboanga’s Pink Beach really pink? Well, let’s find out.

After a couple of days of gloomy weather, the sun finally showed up. We’ve been frequenting the other beaches of Boracay the previous days, but this time, we finally went to the Boracay White Beach for a midday swim. The sun was out in full; the water, calm and azure. A few wisp of clouds floated idly by. It was the perfect beach day on arguably the Philippines’ finest beach.

“Where to next?” That’s the usual question we have after spending a day or two at Boracay’s White Beach. And the usual answer is Puka Beach or Puka Shell Beach—as it was known for the puka shells littering its shore before Boracay became famous.

WATER, SAND, LIMESTONE, TREES AT PUKA BEACH

It is arguably the second most famous beach in Boracay—not counting Bulabog Beach, of course—which is popular by default since it’s where the water activities are located when the Boracay White Beach is being battered by the Habagat Winds.

But I digress. Let’s head over to Puka Beach, shall we.

The morning was bright and the sky was cobalt blue in color. Shaded from the morning sun by a huge rock cliff facing the beach, we spread our blue blanket on the sand—laying our toddler’s sand toys right beside it. Completely ignoring his toys, he ran straight towards the waters—us, quickly scrambling to catch up with him. It seems Diniwid Beach’s aquamarine waters has won our son’s heart on first sight.

We were in Boracay and it was time for the sunset. The water was clear and calm, the sand—pristine and fine. Except for a few tourists and local kids swimming and playing about, we almost had the whole stretch of beach to ourselves.

Not really a common statement when in Boracay. But, if you’re at Bulabog Beach, you can definitely experience this.
But, Bulabog Beach? That dirty backside beach? Really?

Well, after Boracay’s rehabilitation, Bulabog Beach has been revived to a good enough alternative to the more famous Boracay White Beach.

The water was cold on first dip. Too cold, in fact, that I doubled back a bit if I really wanted to take a morning swim at Nasugbu’s Long Beach. But my son, A, was already on his merry way along the waters—hands splashing on his sides, totally unmindful of the cold. Oh heck.

It was a quick weekends of sort at Nasugbu—a seemingly never-ending town in Batangas. It was my niece’s birthday, and they’re celebrating it on their hometown. We were only too quick to say yes to their invitation to join—wanting to let in a bit more of the outdoors in our too homebound lives nowadays.

As of last count, there are no less than seventy accommodations available along Cabangan Beach in Zambales. Dotting the twelve-kilometer long beach, these stretch from the barangays of Mabanglit, Felmida Diaz, Arew, San Isidro, Sto. Nino, Camiing, Lomboy, and Laoag. And these range from bare camping grounds where you can pitch your tents for a fee, basic no-frills lodgings, boho-inspired accommodations, whole home rentals, rustic hut getaways, social hostels, and swanky beach resorts.

Name it, Cabangan probably has it now. This lesser known corner of Zambales has transformed from being a quiet, zero-tourist town to a now relatively busy beach town. I say relative, since Cabangan, for the most part, is still the quiet town I’ve known for more than a decade.

For those wanting visit, I compiled a list of eleven unique and interesting beach front resorts in Cabangan—the best resorts Cabangan has to offer, if I may say so myself.

►CHECK OUT: CABANGAN TRAVEL GUIDE    
   
A disclaimer, I haven’t personally stayed in any of these resorts--basing my info on their photos, websites, and Facebook pages. I will make a more detailed reviews of these resorts once I actually stayed on their premises.

►BOOK DISCOUNTED BEACH TRIP FROM MANILA TO ZAMBALES

The three of us walked along the foreshore of Cabangan Beach as we always did during the afternoons. The waves, warm and gentle, lapping against our bare feet. My son, holding tightly onto my hand on his left, and her mother’s on his right. And the sun, slowly lowering itself on the horizon—fierce and fiery, seemingly unwilling to let the summer days of Zambales to end just yet.

PASTEL SKIES AT SAN ISIDRO BEACH IN CABANGAN

Like most people in the metro, it has been years since we’ve seen the sea. The Pandemic did that. And when the cases finally slowed down, we decided to go. To my wife’s hometown we went—the sleepy town of Cabangan in Zambales.

►BEST TIME TO VISIT: ZAMBALES DINAMULAG FESTIVAL

Am I really in Zambales? That was the thought that was running through my mind as I wandered across the island of Magalawa—my feet sinking into the soft white sand, the sea breeze gently ruffling my hair. Across the horizon, boats the size of matchboxes, slowly parted the sea. The water was calm, extremely calm, the total opposite of what I thought the waters of Zambales are. It almost felt like I’m on one of those islands somewhere in the Visayas, famed for their beaches. Am I really in Zambales? I pinched myself. I really am!

►BOOK DISCOUNTED ZAMBALES ISLAND HOPPING

SUNSET AT MAGALAWA ISLAND IN PALAUIG

It was with extremely full tummies when we headed off for the beach. We just finished a table-full of dishes plus some as part of our Zambales food trip. The province of Zambales is laid out along the shores of the West Philippine Sea, and is slowly working up a name for surfing. And then there’s also Anawangin and Nagsasa Cove, two of the most beautiful beaches readily accessible from Manila. But we’re taking a different route, we’re going to Magalawa, an island that’s relatively off the radar from the weekend tourist crowd.

It took several days for us to finally hit the beaches of Dili. One of the main reasons why was due to its location. While it is right within the city limits—heck, we can even see it from the boulevard in front of the Palacio Governo—getting there by foot, which was our main mode of exploring Dili, was out of the question. So we asked around, not wanting to flag a taxi to go there, and eventually found it was possible to get there using East Timor’s public transport, the microlet.

THE BEACHES OF DILI, BORDERED BY MOUNTAINS

EAST TIMORESE KIDS PLAYING ON A WEEKEND

THE BEACHES OF DILI ARE WITHIN THE CAPITAL CITY

The beaches of Dili, East Timor’s capital city, is located on its eastern part. There are a couple of beaches right at the center of Dili, but these have course brown sand and almost no one swims there. To get to Dili’s white sand beaches, we took a white, number 11, microlet which passes along Largo de Lecidere, and alighted at the corner of Bidau Street. We then took a blue microlet that went straight to the Dili Cristo Rei jump-off where the Jesus Beach is located. En route, we also passed the Areia Branca Beach and an unnamed small pocket-sized beach along the road.

►CHECK FOR AFFORDABLE HOTELS IN DILI

How many beaches are there in Bali? That was the thought that was running through my mind as we savored our last sunset on the island, pastels painting the lower part of the horizon as surfers glide through the curling waves. We’ve just spent almost two weeks on the island, exploring the temples of Bali and waterfalls of Bali, and of course, its beaches. We’ve seen quite a lot, swimming on a few and wishing we actually know how to surf.

What to do with five days at Gold Coasts’ Surfers Paradise? A lot, if you’re into surfing, shopping, and theme parks. But we’re totally not into surfing, shopping, and theme parks. So, I was wondering myself why I booked a total of five long days here instead of stretching our stay for a day or more at Byron Bay—a town which we feel a deeper connection with.

SURFERS PARADISE FROM OUR BALCONY AT RHAPSODY HOTEL

Our first and second day at Surfers Paradise was spent on a forced staycation at the Rhapsody Hotel. Incessant rain kept us in, but I’m not complaining. With friends in tow, a cache of grocery food to cook, and plenty of alcohol, we were more than happy to stay cooped up.

►CHECK RHAPSODY HOTEL DISCOUNTED RATES

It was almost dusk when our car navigated the ascent towards Byron Bay’s famed lighthouse. We just flew in from Sydney that same day, visiting the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary right after touching down—our backpacks still at the back of G’s car.

THE GANG AT CAPE BYRON LIGHTHOUSE

She dropped us off a hundred meters or so from the lighthouse, Tallows Beach was in full view on our right, while she went back down to park her car. She doesn’t want us to miss the sunset, she said. She’s sweet like that.

Byron Bay changed its name from Cavvanbah after Lieutenant James Cook anchored along its waters, naming it after sailor John Byron. From a sleepy industrial town, it has since become a haven for hippies after surfers has discovered its swells. The deal was sealed during the seventies when the Aquarius Festival, a counter-culture arts and music festival, arrived in town.

►BOOK TOURS IN BYRON BAY

TAKING AN UBER TO LAKE AINSWORTH THE NEXT DAY

BYRON BAY AND BALLINA DIY TOUR WHAT’S INSIDE? • Cape Byron Lighthouse • Lake Ainsworth • Seven Mile Beach • The Point Cafe at Lennox Head • Lighthouse Beach ► AUSTRALIA ITINERARY 10 DAYS

CAPE BYRON LIGHTHOUSE

 ENTRANCE FEE: FREE | OPENING HOURS: 8:00AM TO 6:00PM | GPS COORDINATES MAP: -28.638535,153.6346196 

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Built in 1901, the stately Cape Byron Lighthouse boasts of being the most powerful of its kind in terms of light intensity across the whole of Australia. It sits on the easternmost promontory of the continent and is three kilometers away from Byron Bay. People actually walk up and bike to this place.

Since it’s on the eastside, the best time to go here is actually during sunrise. But since we didn’t have a choice, sunset it was. Being quite old, I can see how immaculately preserved it was—it actually looks new if not for the 1901 numerals carved along some of its pillars.

Going back down to the car, we passed by a viewpoint overlooking Tallows Beach. Once flocked by people panning for gold during 1870’s, the beach is now a haven for surfers. We promised ourselves we’d visit the beach the next day, but promises are meant to be broken, especially if you’d be drinking beer cider ‘til past midnight.

►CHECK FOR AFFORDABLE HOTELS IN BYRON BAY

THE BYRON BAY LIGHTHOUSE DURING SUNSET

THE LIGHTHOUSE IS VERY WELL MAINTAINED IT ACTUALLY LOOKS NEW

A VIEWPOINT AND A WALKING TRAIL OFF THE SIDE OF THE LIGHTHOUSE

TALLOWS BEACH CAN BE SEEN FROM THE CAPE

LAKE AINSWORTH

 ENTRANCE FEE: FREE | GPS COORDINATES MAP: -28.7815749,153.5871468

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Checking out late from Byron Bay Hotel and Apartments, we decided on heading straight to Lake Ainsworth instead of Tallows Beach. M and C were just so entranced with the photos of the lake on the interweb that we’d have to go, like, right away.

This particular body of water is surrounded by tea trees, and the tannins from these leach down to the water giving it a red-orangey tint, hence its monikers Orange Lake and Tea Tree Lake.

Getting there by public transport is impossible, but since we were three in the group, we decided on getting an Uber ride right up to the lake’s edge. Imagine our chagrin after paying a hefty bill to find a lake with no hint of orange whatsoever. Seemingly, the sun needs to be on full blast for the effect to be apparent. And it was darn cloudy.

On closer inspection, we did find the water along the banks to be orange in color. It’s not gonna get a thousand likes on Instagram though, lol.

With barbecue pits and picnic grounds, the place is popular for weekenders wanting to chill out—as if Byron Bay itself isn’t chill enough. We also saw a couple taking a dip on the water, we were like, eww why at first, but upon further reading, we found that its water has healing elements, sort of like a medical bath from the tea trees.

►FIND THE CHEAPEST FLIGHT TO BALLINA

LOOKING FOR ORANGE WATER

THE LAKE APPEARS ORANGE UNDER INTENSE SUNLIGHT—IT WAS, UNFORTUNATELY, CLOUDY

TEA TREES SURROUNDING THE LAKE

THE LAKE’S ORANGE TINT COMES FROM THE TEA TREES SURROUNDING ITS PERIMETER

SEVEN MILE BEACH

 ENTRANCE FEE: FREE | GPS COORDINATES MAP: -28.7612643,153.5688558

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Parallel to the lake is the Seven Mile Beach. It was an easy two-minute walk and we’re right by the Pacific.

The beach, which stretches for, uhmm, seven miles from Broken Head—where Thor actually has a house—up to Lennox Head, is utterly deserted. Well, there’s a dog walker or two and a few people off the horizon. But they’re so far away that we might as well be on Mars.

We’re ready for a swim even if C forgot her swimsuit but signs warning of sharks and rips told us we’re better off at the water’s edge. We turned back after taking a few snaps.

ALONE AT SEVEN MILE BEACH

COLD DAY FOR A SWIM

THERE’S A CROWD AT THE NORTHERN END OF THE BEACH

THERE ARE WARNING SIGNS FOR SHARKS

THE POINT CAFÉ AT LENNOX HEAD

 OPENING HOURS: 6:00AM TO 4:00PM  | GPS COORDINATES MAP: -28.7941648,153.5910754

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With no cabs or Internet to hail an Uber car, we walked our way to the not-so-near Lennox Head. Why there? Well, we can’t find anywhere else to go. Besides, we saw a few cafes on the map and we were hungry. And, they probably have Internet, it might be the only way we get out of this place.

While updating our social media apps at The Point Café, we sipped on bracingly cold milkshakes and feasted on their larger-than-mouth The Point Burger. Our tables and hands were pretty messed up right after.

CLEAN AND SIMPLE INTERIORS OF THE POINT CAFE

WE CHOSE TO EAT AL FRESCO

NO WAY WE CAN FIT THOSE IN OUR MOUTHS

LIGHTHOUSE BEACH

 ENTRANCE FEE: FREE | GPS COORDINATES MAP: -28.8698223,153.5890083

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Coming from work, G rescued us at Lennox Head. We proceeded on raiding a liquor store and a KFC joint before crashing at her pad at the nearby town of Ballina. We picked L, her super adorable six-year old kid, en route.

The plan was for us to visit a watering hole while G goes to work, but we decided on scratching that off our to-do list. Instead, we offered on babysitting L instead. While feasting on a bucket of chicken and guzzling a dozen cans of beer and cider, that is. Cider is the bomb, by the way.

L is so much fun, right before sundown, we went to the Lighthouse Beach, which is like three minutes away from their doorstep. The 700-meter stretch of sand apparently formed when an entrance wall was put along the nearby Richmond River, filling up the then Shaws Bay with sand, instantly producing thirty hectares of prime real estate property. G’s house probably sits above the former bay.

Again, like most beaches in the area, there are sharks and people actually get swept to the sea due to currents. Apparently, it’s only good for surfing. So we did the next best thing. We taught L how to play hopscotch, the Filipino way, on the beach until it went full dark.

C AND L WAITNG FOR THE DUSK AT LIGHTHOUSE BEACH

SEAGULLS RESTING ALONG THE SHORE

GEOMETRIC GIANT JACKSTONES ON ONE SIDE OF THE BEACH

 

SCOOT HAS DAILY PROMO FARES FROM MANILA TO AUSTRALIA

SCOOT, KLOOK, AND ONE VINE MIGRATION MADE OUR TRIP TO AUSTRALIA POSSIBLE. VIEWS AND OPINION ALL MINE.

 

“It looks like a plush toy,” I told C as we stood transfixed staring at an actual real live koala inside a pen. Clinging on a vertical tree branch and slowly gnawing on eucalyptus leaves, the furry little creature unhurriedly moved to a more comfortable position. Being nocturnal animals, most of its neighbors were asleep, also clinging to tree branches as they do. It’s the first time I’ve actually seen a koala in real life and it’s as cute and cuddly as a, well, a plush koala toy.

FLYING IN FROM SYDNEY TO GOLD COAST

Coming from a one-hour flight from Sydney, we arrived at the Gold Coast International Airport at around noon. The heat was unbearable as we navigated its almost empty roadways. We’re here to see Byron Bay, but before that, we took a quick detour to Currumbin—G of Pinay Travel Junkie apparently booked us to see them kangaroos and koalas.

►CHECK FOR AFFORDABLE HOTELS IN GOLD COAST

Everyone in the group, except M, had tried the island hopping activities in El Nido. We initially thought of passing up on it, but we considered doing it again for the sake of our friend. Well, it’s his first time on this part of Palawan and we thought we’d treat him to a combo island tour to maximize his island hopping experience.

MOTORIZED OUTRIGGER BOATS USED FOR ISLAND HOPPING IN EL NIDO

El Nido has four island hopping options grouped into Tour A, B, C, and D. The two most popular routes are Tour A and Tour C. If you have limited time like us, you can actually combine these tours—choose where you want to go and cross off those that doesn’t interest you. Already familiar with most of the islands and beaches on the list, that’s exactly what we did.

►CHECK OUT: EL NIDO TO CORON

Linapacan was our second choice for our Palawan getaway. We originally planned on going to Balabac, but due to weather constraints and the threat of being eaten by crocodiles, we whole-heartedly settled for the latter. And can we be so choosy? Linapacan has been tagged as having one of the clearest waters in the world.

LINAPACAN HAS BEEN DUBBED AS HAVING ONE OF THE CLEAREST WATERS IN THE WORLD

Located between El Nido and Coron, Linapacan is actually a municipality in Palawan. It is a menagerie of islands, some of which used to belong to Coron. The town’s jump off is about an hour away from El Nido, and I’m quite puzzled as to why the boom in the region’s tourism hasn’t reached it yet.

►CHECK OUT: CORON TRAVEL GUIDE